Moto G: how to unlock the Bootloader and root

Jump to section:

• Unlock the Bootloader
• Install custom recovery
• Root the Moto G

Unlock the Bootloader

Please note: this process will erase all data on your smartphone, so it's important to complete a backup before! We assume, as usual, no liability for any damage or data loss. Unlocking the bootloader will likely void your device's warranty.

First, you must unlock the bootloader of the Moto G. For instructions and the necessary drivers, you get these directly from Motorola’s website, since the company requires you to login and get a unique password. Then you must enable developer options by tapping on your phone's Version number in the About phone section of your device settings. 

Now, download the ADB tools and unzip them on your original computer. In addition, you need the latest Motorola USB drivers.

Now turn off your smartphone. Put it in fastboot mode by holding down the volume down and power buttons simultaneously. Wait a few seconds, then let the power button and the volume button go again. Connect the smartphone via USB to your PC. Navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the ADB tools. Hold down the shift key and click with the right mouse button on an empty spot in Windows Explorer. Select "Open command window here."

Give the command prompt the following command: "fastboot device". Then you will get a message that your device is recognized, otherwise you'll have to download the Motorola USB drivers here.

Once that is done, give the command prompt the following command: "fastboot oem get_unlock_data" and then press enter. A string will appear that looks similar to this:

fastboot oem get_unlock_data

(bootloader) 0A40040192024205#4C4D3556313230
(bootloader) 30373731363031303332323239#BD00
(bootloader) 8A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F95
(bootloader) 1A3E5#1F53280002000000000000000
(bootloader) 0000000

Copy the character sequence by clicking on the right button of your mouse in the prompt, choose "Select" and then select the highlighted five lines. Press the enter key now to copy the text to the clipboard and then paste it into the input window on the Motorola website. Ensure that there are no spaces. Please also note that "(bootloader)" must not be copied!

Click on "Can my device be unlocked?", then scroll to the bottom of the page. Put a tick in the "I Agree" box and click on "Request Unlock Key". You should have received a code by email now. Copy it to the clipboard and then go back to the prompt. If the Moto G is still connected to the PC, you can directly input the following command:

fastboot oem unlock [here you will enter the 20 character long code with the right button of your mouse.]

Ready! The Moto G will now start automatically and the bootloader is unlocked. Now you can get going with the root procedure.

Install custom recovery

First, find out your device model by going to Settings > About phone > Legal information. Then download the latest version of your custom recovery from TWRP.

Download the file from TWRP, then place the one with the extension ".img" in the same folder where you unzipper ADB tools. Then rename the file to something simple, like "TWRP.img" so it will be easy to find later. Then open the command window as before and enter the following commands: "Adb device" then "Adb reboot-bootloader" then "Fastboot" then "Fastboot flash recovery [your TWRP file name saved in the ADB folder]". If it worked, your device will open the custom recovery TWRP screen. Then you'll be informed of your success by the system, and you can accept the terms of use by swiping the blue button from left to right. Once you connect the device to your computer with a USB cable, it should recognize it immediately.

Root the Moto G

Let's now root the device from the freshly installed custom recovery on the device.

First, download the latest version of SuperSU.zip. Then put the zipped folder into the root folder of your device (which can be found at My Computer > Moto G). From the homescreen of TWRP, click Install and select the SuperSU.zip, then swipe to confirm.

Then you're ready! The Moto G should now restart and your smartphone has been successfully rooted. If you aren’t sure it worked, look in the App Drawer. Here you should now see the SuperSU application. If not, install the app Root Checker to check.

Do you plan on rooting your device? Did you manage to root your device using this process? Let us know in the comments.